Abstract:
Significant changes at global level in the 90s have had their effect upon Liberation
Theology in Latin America. Chapter one of this thesis presents the analyses of three
representative Brazilian theologians (C. Boff, L. Boff, H. Assmann). From their own personal
and theological perspectives, they indicate what are the most appropriated theological outlines
for Latin American theology at this historical moment. In this chapter I also deal with the
hypothesis of a paradigm shift in Liberation Theology as an answer to the crisis experienced.
It is observed that this period is characterized by a plurality of paradigms in coexistence. In
chapter two I try to show that, in the midst of the new scenarios of the 90s, Latin-American
theology reveals important developments and dislocations both of methodological and
epistemological nature. These are described and analyzed in this chapter. In the third and
conclusive chapter, I sustain the thesis that the changes previously identified cannot be, in
their totality, subsumed within the original paradigm of Liberation Theology. It is observed
that this new phase is characterized by a new theological pluralism which requires an
ecumenical critical (macro)paradigm. On the one hand, in what concerns pluralism, we reject
the perspective of theological fragmentation. On the other hand, in what concerns the
demands for unity, any solution is denied which seeks to skip or to harmonize the differences.
The contention is that an ecumenical critical paradigm is the most appropriate for ongoing
theological reflection. This paradigm promotes the plural coexistence and a mutual
fertilization between the distinctive perspectives.
